In 2026, 30,000 long-term unemployed individuals in Brussels are expected to lose their benefits — an unprecedented challenge that requires coordinated and innovative solutions.

How can we prevent their long-term exclusion from the labour market and society? What solutions can we build together to reintegrate these people, who are often isolated and sometimes in very precarious situations, but who also have great potential?

This Talent Talks will bring together federations, trade unions, the Public Centre for Social Welfare, businesses, associations working in the field and public employment and training bodies to discuss practical solutions for more humane, effective and coordinated support.

 Topics covered include:

• The realities and obstacles faced by the long-term unemployed
• Innovative initiatives to support and get people into work
• The role of businesses in the face of labour shortages  
• The commitment of public services to coordinate pathways and activate available levers
• Tailor-made pathways, adapted contracts and successful local cooperation 
• Dialogue between players: how can we better combine our efforts?

An afternoon of discussions, inspiration and networking, to transform a challenge into a collective opportunity.  

As an introduction, David Rozenblum,  Advisor at the FEB's Employment & Social Security Competence Centre, will present the framework of the new regulations and highlight the issues they raise for both businesses and the various players in the employment sector.

The following speakers will participate in the afternoon panels:

Benoît Dassy, Regional secretary of CSC/ACV Brussels

Thierry Devillez, Director Brussels-Wallonia at Federgon

Anne Ghysels, Partena Professional

Vincent Giroul, Director at efp

Yvon Jadoul, Secretary-general of Smart coopérative

Veerle Van Steen, Expert Sustainability & Environment Agoria

Alice Kwitegetse Mpoyiki, Coordinator of the job coaching service - Infor Jeunes Bruxelles

Stéphane Laloux, Strategic Director, Actiris

Laure Lemaire, Director at Interface3

Matthieu Léonard, Chairman Fédération Horeca Brussels

Florence Lepoivre, Secretary-general of FGTB/ABVV Brussels

Sehida Pala, Manager of the ACE project (Accompagnement Chercheurs d’Emploi) of Actiris at Microstart

Laurence Rayane, Executive Director Bruxelles Formation

Inge Spincemaille, General Manager Aviato

Pierre Verbeeren, General Director social welfare at CPAS/OCMW Brussels

Tatiana Vial Grösser,FeBISP Director

Closing remarks and conclusion by Bernard Clerfayt, Brussels Minister for Employment, Training, Local Authorities, Digital Transition, Animal Welfare and Family Allowances.

This event is part of Talent Talks, a series of gatherings designed to connect businesses, experts, and forward-thinking initiatives to strengthen the employment ecosystem in Brussels.

It will take place in the afternoon, from 2.00 to 6.00 pm, and will be followed by a networking drink.​

The event will be held in French and Dutch.

Participation is free of charge, but registration is mandatory.

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